Album: Ben

Introduction
"Ben" is the second studio album by Michael Jackson, launched on August 4, 1972, under the Motown label. The album includes a mix of pop, soul, and R&B genres, showcasing Jackson's amazing vocal range and natural talent as a young artist. The album's title track "Ben" is maybe its most widely known and effective tune, scoring Jackson's very first No. 1 single as a solo artist. The album also features a range of other musical styles and styles, from uptempo dance tracks to psychological ballads.

Background and Production
After the success of "Got to Be There", Michael's launching solo album, Motown aspired to continue capitalizing on his appeal as a solo act, as well as with his family band, the Jackson 5. To produce a varied album that would break away from the Jackson 5's sound, Motown got a variety of renowned songwriters and manufacturers, such as Hal Davis, Freddie Perren, and Fonce Mizell. The recording sessions primarily occurred in Los Angeles and were finished in July 1972.

Album Artwork
The album's cover art includes Michael, aged 13, with a big smile on his face and an Afro hairstyle - an iconic image of the young star. The art work style showed Michael's spirited and innocent image while also highlighting his growing maturity as a solo artist. The back cover of the album provides a tracklisting, with each song being accompanied by an engaging illustration-- a practice typical at the time.

Singles and Hit Songs
"Ben" consists of 2 effective singles, the title track and "I Wan na Be Where You Are". The title track, "Ben", was composed by Don Black and Walter Scharf for the scary motion picture of the exact same name, where a young kid becomes pals with a killer rat. Regardless of its dark inspiration and styles, the song became a huge success and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week in October 1972. "Ben" remains among Michael's most popular and enduring ballads. On the other side, "I Wan na Be Where You Are" is a more uptempo and appealing number that reached No. 16 on the US pop chart and No. 2 on the R&B chart.

Other Notable Tracks
Apart from the 2 hit singles, "Ben" likewise includes other noteworthy tracks such as "Greatest Show in the world", a jolly and theatrical song about a circus show; "People Make the World Go Round", a contemporary track dealing with social problems with a breezy melody; and "We've Got a Good Thing Going", a sweet love tune instilled with lovely and mellow harmonies.

Tradition and Impacts
While "Ben" did not achieve the important acclaim or immediate success of "Off The Wall" or "Thriller", Jackson's later work of arts, the album was still an important stepping stone in his journey to superstardom. The album showcased his versatility as a vocalist and entertainer, appealing to both his younger fanbase and a larger adult audience.

By successfully following up his debut solo album, "Ben" further strengthened Michael's status as a budding solo star, proving to the world his capability to make hits without the Jackson 5. The album received a Grammy nomination for the title track and sold over 5 million copies worldwide, firmly establishing Michael Jackson as a force in the music market.

In conclusion, "Ben" is a considerable album in Michael Jackson's discography that showcased his immense talent, adaptability, and capability to develop magic in the studio as a young teen.